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Journeyman lineman vs electrical foreman

The differences between journeyman linemen and electrical foremen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a journeyman lineman, becoming an electrical foreman takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a journeyman lineman has an average salary of $77,257, which is higher than the $50,996 average annual salary of an electrical foreman.

The top three skills for a journeyman lineman include CDL, switches and customer service. The most important skills for an electrical foreman are NEC, OSHA, and electrical systems.

Journeyman lineman vs electrical foreman overview

Journeyman LinemanElectrical Foreman
Yearly salary$77,257$50,996
Hourly rate$37.14$24.52
Growth rate7%-
Number of jobs9,46944,710
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4246
Years of experience12-

What does a journeyman lineman do?

A journeyman lineman specializes in the installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical systems and other supplementary equipment. Their responsibilities typically revolve around climbing up and working on power lines and electrical cables, reading and understanding wiring systems, reporting progress or issues to supervisors, performing regular inspections and providing corrective measures, and removing any obstructions in wires or power lines. Because of the risks surrounding the job, it is crucial to adhere to all the safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and productive work environment.

What does an electrical foreman do?

An electrical foreman is an individual who is responsible for supervising power linesmen and electricians in the installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical power lines or electrical systems. Electrical foremen conduct periodic inspections at a construction site to ensure that materials and supplies are available. They must enforce safety regulations, rules, and working conditions among the employees due to their hazardous work setting. They also supervise the operation of an electrical repair shop and train personnel in the safe operation of equipment and tools.

Journeyman lineman vs electrical foreman salary

Journeyman linemen and electrical foremen have different pay scales, as shown below.

Journeyman LinemanElectrical Foreman
Average salary$77,257$50,996
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $114,000Between $36,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityEureka, CASacramento, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyPacific Gas and ElectricCDM Smith
Best paying industryUtilitiesConstruction

Differences between journeyman lineman and electrical foreman education

There are a few differences between a journeyman lineman and an electrical foreman in terms of educational background:

Journeyman LinemanElectrical Foreman
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Journeyman lineman vs electrical foreman demographics

Here are the differences between journeyman linemen' and electrical foremen' demographics:

Journeyman LinemanElectrical Foreman
Average age4246
Gender ratioMale, 97.7% Female, 2.3%Male, 97.1% Female, 2.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 2.2% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 1.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage3%2%

Differences between journeyman lineman and electrical foreman duties and responsibilities

Journeyman lineman example responsibilities.

  • Install switchgear, capacitors, voltage regulators, risers, lightning arrestors, and other protective devices.
  • Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturb or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
  • Use a variety of construction equipment to complete installations, such as digger derricks, trenchers, or cable plows.
  • Maintain and repair all overhead distribution equipment to include cabling, transformers, and all associate overhead distribution equipment.
  • Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshot breakdowns and repair malfunctioning HVAC systems and components, utilize measuring and testing instruments.
  • Certify welder (MIG) ASE.
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Electrical foreman example responsibilities.

  • Manage and supervise day to day duties of a small crew for upgrades to the DCS and PLC infrastructure system.
  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Provide work orders for employees and order all electrical components by use of Maximo CMMS system.
  • Connect wiring to motor controls, switches, lighting fixtures, receptacles, circuit breakers, and fuses.
  • Work with computerize lighting and HVAC systems, require standby generator, access control systems, and closed-circuit surveillance equipment.
  • Pipe bending with EMT and rigid.
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Journeyman lineman vs electrical foreman skills

Common journeyman lineman skills
  • CDL, 13%
  • Switches, 11%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Climb Poles, 5%
  • Electrical Equipment, 5%
  • OSHA, 5%
Common electrical foreman skills
  • NEC, 9%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • Electrical Systems, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Transformers, 5%
  • Renewable Energy, 4%

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